Inseparable phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a particle. Give back = give (verb) + back (particle).
These cannot be separated if the verb is inseparable. Inseparable phrasal verbs can be two types: without an object and with an object.
Example: I wake up at 8 am every morning. (without an object) Incorrect: I wake at 8 am up
The TV cameras zoomed in on the winner’s face. (with an object) Incorrect: The TV cameras zoomed the winner’s face in on.
Without an object
With an object
Separable phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a particle. Give back = give (verb) + back (particle).
These can be separated if the verb is separable. Example: Give my pen back. Note: Give back my pen is also correct. We are free to decide which sentence we prefer.
If we use a pronoun instead of my pen only Give it back is correct. We can’t say Give back it.
Try this short quiz to check if you have understood the concept.
Here is a list of some separable and inseparable phrasal verbs at B1+ level.
Download “separable and inseparable phrasal verbs”
Separable-and-inseparable-phrasal-verbs.pdf – Downloaded 370 times – 38.89 KB